Naruto's Rage - Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Summary: One-Shot from Naruto's POV, expressing his internal struggle with own his anger, and the Kyuubi within him.
Warnings: Spoilers for anyone not up to manga chapter 309 (Sasuke & Team Seven reunion)
Nettie's Note: I wrote this in about 10 minutes. I'm fairly pleased with how it's turned out. Feel free to comment.
 

Something's happening to me. I know it. They all know it.

I feel it in my belly; the fierce surge of red-hot chakra that rears its menacing head every time I'm even slightly riled.

I see it in the faces of Ero-sennin, Kakashi-sensei, and Tsunade-baachan. They are worried. They fear my anger.

Even Sakura-chan is beginning to suspect something. She hasn't said anything yet. But there are those long moments when she stares at me, as if searching for an answer to a question she dares not ask; "What is happening to you, Naruto?"

The truth is, even I am not sure.

Kyuubi... The word strikes fear into the hearts of all citizens of Konoha, from civilians, to the ANBU and Hokage. They all fear it. They all fear me.

Ero-sennin has trained me hard for three years. We worked on basic skills, ninjutsu, dispelling genjutsu, but most importantly: controlling Kyuubi chakra.

It is difficult. More than difficult. It's damn near impossible to manipulate that cursed red chakra. When I fail, the Kyuubi will attempt to take control of my body. The damn fox fuels my anger, my despair; knowing that it's the only way to freedom.

I never remember much of those desperate times when I use too much of his chakra. It's as if my mind is shunted away, blanketed. This process is given speed by my rage. My body, mind and chakra become one with the Kyuubi. All I feel is the fiery power coursing through every tortured cell of my body, and my murderous, blood red rage.

Ero-sennin... I almost killed him because I lost control. I let my anger take over. I let him take over.

I know that I must keep a cool head. But it is not in my nature. My emotions are always hugely expressed, leaving all in the vicinity in no doubt as to how I'm feeling.

But I can't be like this anymore. As Ero-sennin says that I'm no longer a child. I must keep my cool, stay composed, and never act on my anger.

The last time I did, when I reacted to Orochimaru's taunts, I almost killed Sakura-chan! I can't ... I can't let that happen again. Never again!

And even now, as I stand, abandoned once again by my closest friend... Despair, disappointment, self-loathing. I can feel the stir of frustration in my heart, the swirl of Kyuubi chakra in my belly.

I must not give in... I must not give in...